Trail of Two Oceans - 15 Day East to West Africa Adventure by Rail

CTT-ATT is the official partner and DMC of Rovos Rail for ground handling in the Congo and Angola. Book with us for a discount on the rail tour and cabin plus dedicated side tours and concierge services.

Set off on a 15-day expedition taking you across Tanzania, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola. The renowned east-to-west copper trail was traversed by a passenger train for the first time ever on this route. Take in the splendor of Rovos Rail as you step inside the luxurious, wood-paneled carriages, unwind, and gaze out the windows at some of the most magnificent scenery you can imagine. Rovos Rail embodies the astonishing natural elegance and magnificent beauty of African adventure, paying homage to a simpler, more refined era with its impeccable cuisine, discreet service, and collection of South Africa's finest wines. This incredible journey departs from the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, and includes a game visit in the Selous Reserve, a fly-in 2-night safari in the South Luangwa National Park, and a city tour of Lubumbashi. The tour ends at Lobito after it reaches the Benguela line for a series of walking tours explaining Angola's interesting history.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAR ES SALAAM

Depart from Tazara Station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Take time to freshen up in your suite before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car, which will be at the front of the train for the first 72 hours - a different perspective that rail enthusiasts enjoy. Take in the beautiful fertile lands of Tanzania towards the Selous while you savor your lunch served in the dining car. You will also enjoy some tea time in the lounge and observation cars before having your dinner dressed in your formal wear en route to Fuga Halt for overnight. Please ensure that the Train Manager or Administration Deputy is in possession of your passport. 

Day 2 - SELOUS GAME RESERVE

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before a game visit in the Selous Game Reserve, the largest in Africa. You will then have your lunch in the dining cars. Then, travel towards the lush jungle of Udzungwa Mountains and immerse yourself into the dramatic switchbacks, viaducts, and tunnels of the escarpment. You will also enjoy some tea time in the lounge and observation cars before dining in your formal dress en route to Mimba for the night. 

Day 3 - MAKAMBAKO (OPTIONAL)

Arrive at Makambako and take time to stroll around the town. Then, board on the train and enjoy the scenic views as the train travels through baobab forests before ascending the Rift Valley to the border between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. Please set your watches back by an hour before turning in for the night.

Day 4 - CHISIMBA FALLS

Begin the day with a delightful breakfast on board. Then, complete the border formalities to continue your journey through Tazara railway line, an engineering tour de force and one of the best kept secrets of Africa as it travels through a remote territory. Visit Chisimba Falls, a series of waterfalls named Mutuma, Kaela, and Chishimba (Chisimba), to enjoy a relaxing stroll to the natural rock pools at the base of the falls and appreciate the scenic view from different angles. Afterwards, get back on the train for dinner in the dining cars en route to Mpika for the night.

Day 5 - SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Pack a small overnight bag and prepare for a two-night stay in South Luangwa National Park. Make sure you are dressed warmly for the game drives and wear comfortable shoes for the optional walking safari activities. Before transferring to Mpika Airstrip for your chartered flight, double check if the train manager or administrative deputy has given you your passport. Upon arrival at South Luangwa National Park, transfer to your camp, check in, and enjoy lunch before setting out for an afternoon game drive in the Luangwa Valley.

Day 6 - SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Start the day with a delicious continental breakfast, then enjoy an early morning game drive to see some rare wildlife animals up close and capture spectacular photographic opportunities. You will have a tasty brunch before spending some time exploring the area at your own leisure. Afterwards, experience a thrilling afternoon game drive to observe the nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. 

Day 7 - SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

Prepare your luggage for collection before having your breakfast. Take a morning game drive to experience a thrilling wildlife adventure, then transfer to the airport for the chartered flight to your next destination. Upon arrival at Ndola, Zambia, directly transfer to Ndola Station to rejoin the train. You will then spend the rest of the day at your own leisure on board as the train travels towards the border. 

Day 8 - LUBUMBASHI

Begin the day with a drive through the commercial and industrial city of Lubumbashi and get an insight into the local culture and history. Then, head back to board the train and start your journey towards Lukuni. You will also get a glimpse of the historic open-pit Luishia copper and cobalt mine along the way.

Day 9 - COPPER MINE

Drop by Kolwezi for a visit to a copper mine in an area with some of the largest known copper and cobalt resources in the world. Then, enjoy a brunch at Katebi Lodge before returning to the train and depart for Kasombo. 

Day 10 - LEISURE ON BOARD

Spend the day at leisure on board as the train passes Kakopa en route to Malonga. You can check out the features of the train and interact with your fellow travellers. Also, do not forget to turn your watches back an hour before going to bed for the night.

Day 11 - LUAU

Enjoy a delicious breakfast on board to start the day. After completing the border formalities, continue to the start of the Benguela line to embark on a walking tour of Luau. Afterwards, head back to the train and begin your journey to Luena. Delight in some tea time and catch a glimpse into the local fishermen at work as the train travels alongside the scenic Cassai River and passes by the villages of Cassai and Cameia. 

Day 12 - LUENA

Start the day with an appetizing breakfast on board the train. Upon arrival at Luena, participate in an insightful walking tour of Luena and get an in-depth understanding of Angola’s culture and history. Afterwards, continue your journey towards Tchicala Tcholohanga. 

Day 13 - KUITO

Take a tour through Kuito, a town that was established in the Ovimbundu Kingdom's historical center. Afterwards, get back to the train and depart for Huambo.

Day 14 - HUAMBO

Explore the beautiful city of Huambo, one of the largest provincial cities in Angola and one of the former kingdoms on the plateau’s central region, and understand its fascinating culture as well as its rich history. Then, head back to board the train and depart for Lépi. 

Day 15 - LOBITO

Arrive at journey’s end, Lobito Station. Take a convenient transport to Airport or Station for your onward destination.

Suites and Coaches

Each train has accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car (± 26 seats), small gift shop, smoking lounge (± 11 seats), and observation car (± 32 seats) with open-air balcony.

Types of Suites

• Pullman Gold Suites (Sharing/Single Occupancy): Tea Drawer, Air Conditioning, Fold-Out Writing Desk, Luggage Shelf, Cupboards, Safe, En-Suite Bathroom with Toilet, Basin, and Shower

• Deluxe Suites (Sharing/Single Occupancy): Minibar, Air Conditioning, Writing Desk, Luggage Shelf, Cupboards, Safe, En-Suite Bathroom with Toilet, Basin, and Shower

• Royal Suites (Sharing - Reserved for Double Occupancy Only): Minibar, Air Conditioning, Writing Desk, Luggage Shelf, Cupboards, Safe, En-suite Bathroom with Toilet, Basin, Bath, and Shower

Inclusions

• 14 Nights Accommodation

• All Meals

• All Beverages

• Room Service

• Limited Laundry

• Excursions with Qualified Guide (Where Applicable)

• Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary

• On-Board Historian

• Hairstylist and Doctor

• Government Tax

• Visa Assistance in the Entry City (Exclusive to CTT-ATT Bookers Only)

• Lobito Day Tour (Exclusive to CTT-ATT Bookers Only)

Exclusions

• Off-Train Beverages

• International Sparkling Wine and French Champagne

• Gratuities

• Personal Expenses

• Visas Not Mentioned

• Travel Insurance

• Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

• Flights and Transfers

Included in Off-Train Accommodation

• Flights to/from South Luangwa

• Overnight Bag

• Meals

• Standard Bar Drinks

• Game Activities

• Laundry

• Park Fees

• Government Tax and Levies

Excluded from Off-Train Accommodation

• Premium Wines, Champagne, and Spirits

• Personal Expenses

Meals on Board (Unless Adjusted)

• Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00

• Lunch: 13:00

• Tea: 16:30

• Dinner: 19:30

• Bar Service: 07:00 to 01:00

General Information

Passports and Visas

• The onus is upon the client to ensure passports and visas, as may be required, are valid prior to departure for Africa. 

• Some nationalities are eligible to purchase port-of-entry visas.

• Immigration forms will be available on board. Please ensure you have a minimum of $200 USD in cash with you.

• Tanzanian, Angolan, and DRC visas must be obtained prior to travel.

• Passports must have at least five (5) blank VISA pages and must be valid for at least six (6) months from your return-home date.

• Please inquire with us for the visa assistance in the entry city.

Check-In

• Please arrive at least one hour before departure. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we request that check-in takes place two hours before departure. 

• Passports are required at check-in. No vouchers are required.

• Luggage will be tagged and placed in your suite on board the train where you will find a comprehensive itinerary pack.

Amenities

• A complete amenity bag will provided with the following South African biodegradable and/or recyclable products: soap (50g), tissues, shampoo (50ml), hand and body wash (50ml), hand and body lotion (50ml), lip balm (7g), insect repellent gel (10ml), reusable bamboo rounds, bamboo earbuds, and a shower cap. Plug-in hairdryers – in addition to your bathroom unit (if applicable) – are available on board as well as sun cream, shoe mitts, nail files, sewing kits and ear plugs.

Children

• Children between 0-2 years old are not allowed to travel. 

• Children under 13 years old are not recommended for long journeys.

• Children are accommodated, but parents must be sensitive to the nature and atmosphere of the train by keeping them respectful and quiet.

Currency

• Only Rands are accepted in South African destinations.

• US Dollars are accepted in Zimbabwe, Tanzania (Dar es Salaam only), DRC, and Angola.

• Major credit cards are accepted on the train, hotels, and major dealers.

Dietaries

• We can cater for food allergies provided a detailed request has been made at the time of your reservation. 

• If a special request has not been made, the chefs will try to prepare suitable meals with the ingredients available on board. 

• We are unable to prepare meals requiring strict religious observance in the preparation.

Additional Information

• Meals on board are served in one sitting only in the dining cars and are complemented by a selection of fine South African wines.

• All meals are served at specific times unless otherwise stated in the timetable.

• Dinner and lunch are signaled by gong.

• Please dress accordingly for game drives: mornings can be cool then warm up considerably; afternoons can be warm then cool down considerably.

• Warm clothing, hats, comfortable shoes, and sun protection are advised (season dependent). Rain capes are available.

• We strongly discourage giving any form of handout to children while traveling. This action may have detrimental consequences to local communities. If you would like to give responsibly, we support many local charities and would be happy to assist.

• The tour is entirely dependent on the traction and railway services provided by the nations we pass through. When these services fail, we sadly have no control over the situation, be they due to locomotives, signals, overhead power-cable damage, and/or theft, vandalism, power outages, railway tracks or issues with drivers, etc.

• Any delays or modifications to the itinerary brought on by unforeseen events, whether natural or man-made, are not the responsibility of Rovos Rail, and we cannot be held liable for them.

• The tour operator reserves the right to change or cancel the itinerary, any excursions, and the tour departure dates provided that the participants are offered with alternative excursions or departure dates. 

• Excursions may be changed according to the schedule achieved. Times are approximate and cannot be guaranteed. Please check with the Train Manger for any updates or changes to the itinerary.

• Itinerary is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Our obligation to transport guests from departure to arrival points on schedule will override any commitment ro excursions. 

• Same-day air-travel on departure and/or arrival days is not advised due to potential flight or train delays. Kindly contact us should you be delayed.